A group of St. James R-1 School District students recently volunteered during Commodity Day at the St. James Caring Center and helped to provide food assistance to local families and individuals. Students from the St. James Middle School Leadership Class, led by educator Latosha Mulhall, and the St. James Cross Country Team helped out with the monthly food assistance program.

Commodity Day is a monthly program at the St. James Caring Center that provides food support to households throughout the area. Volunteers often assist the program by helping distribute food safely, efficiently and with care.

Students assisted Caring Center staff by loading vehicles, organizing items and supporting the flow of distribution throughout the morning.

According to Nancy Montgomery, the executive director of the center, the student volunteers’ “willingness to serve helped the Caring Center provide a smooth and welcoming experience for community members receiving food.”

She added that “we are very grateful to the St. James Middle School Leadership Class and educator Latosha Mulhall for their support during Commodity Day. These students demonstrated leadership, kindness and a strong commitment to helping their neighbors.”

Applications for the food assistance programs and the schedule for the center’s Commodity Days are available at the St. James Caring Center’s website. Other services offered by the Caring Center, depending on applicant eligibility, include rent, utility and medication assistance.

Montgomery said that the St. James Caring Center appreciates the support of local schools, educators, students, and community volunteers.

“Partnerships like this help strengthen the community and ensure families have access to needed food resources,” Montgomery said.